Which of the following equations represents beta decay?
Answer Details
The correct equation that represents beta decay is:
\(\frac{8238}{92}\)U → \(\frac{239}{93}\)Np + \(\frac{0}{-1}\)e
In beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus of an atom breaks down into a proton and an electron. The electron is then emitted from the nucleus, and the proton remains in the nucleus. This results in the atomic number of the nucleus increasing by one, but the mass number remaining the same. The equation above represents the beta decay of Uranium-238 into Neptunium-239 by the emission of an electron (0/-1 e).